Photo courtesy of erick.sodhi on Flickr.
Over the years, there have been some memorable and some less memorable performances at Bluefest. Generally speaking however, it’s been great and this year was no exception; a diversity of acts for young and old, from close by and afar. Now that we’ve had a couple of days to digest Bluesfest, we’re asking you, Apartment613 readers, to tell us who you’d like to see come to Ottawa in 2010.
To get the ball rolling, here are some of Apartment613 contributor’s picks for next year:
François: Hint hint - she was pregnant and almost had her baby at the Grammys this year, has a Sri Lankan heritage and sported some sweet-ass neon swagger at this year’s Coachella. Yep, M.I.A.’s my pick. I doubt she’ll make it here but I would love to see her live in O-town.
Migneault: I would love to see Grizzly Bear play Bluesfest next year. Veckatimest was one of the best albums of 2009. Even though I’ve seen the band play live four times in the past they never get old. Their vocal harmonies are awe inspiring and reminiscent of the Beach Boys’ best work. The band would be a perfect fit for the Black Sheep Stage.
Ren: The Burning Hell. Mathias Kom, ukelele-playing frontman and uber-talented songwriter, is joined by a variously sized group of musicians to form The Burning Hell, a Canadian folk-rock outfit based out of Peterborough, ON. Mathias’ lyrics are usually epically hilarious or epically heartbreaking, but they’re always spot-on, and the music is fantastic. I’ve seen Mathias’ splendid solo show, and I have all of their albums, but I have yet to see the full band live!
Katie: Must be something in the air in Peterborough because my pick is also from that town: The Silver Hearts. I’ve always had a special place for them in my heart (haha), they will forever remind me of my undergrad days. I think they would sound great either at the Blacksheep Stage or at Bluesfest Byward.
Some of our photo-contributors’ picks:
Jesse: I’d like to see Tenacious D (aka Jack Black and Kyle Gass). These two rock harder on two acoustic guitars than any other band. They’ve got amazing stage presence and put on an amazing show. They’re the essence of rock with natural showmanship.
Ming: Arcade Fire! They’re like the biggest Canadian indie band. I’d love to see them live since I really enjoy their previous albums, Funeral and Neon Bible. Plus, they should have a new album by that time so it would be perfect touring time…
Also, we wanted to congratulate the organizers of Bluesfest for expanding to the market this year. Those free outdoor shows were a wonderful idea and the prices for indoor club shows were very reasonable and showcased some great acts.
I would like to see Beck at Bluesfest.
With the scope of things that were on the stages this year here’s a random wish list from my brain:
Deftones, Beastie Boys, Moneen, Gogol Bordello, Basia Bulat, Alexisonfire, Dinosaur Jr., Wintersleep, CSS, Bonde do Role, Grimskunk, Hilotrons, Classified … I could just keep going but I won’t
I would love to see Mose Scarlett.
Big Stage - Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Medium Stage - Crowded House or Hank Williams III
Little Stage - Hayes Carl
Good picks so far, looking forward to this list getting much longer!! hehe, wouldn’t it be great if the organizers listened to us?
-Caitlin, Wintersleep and Basia where here this year! In the market though.
Prince
animal collective and joanna newsome. everyone else would just be a bonus.
Some were already mentioned like Beck, Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys. I’d add Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, Finger 11, Andrew Bird, Jets Overhead are just a few of my suggestions.
They need more country music at Bluesfest. I want to see Sugarland. End of story.
I’d have to agree with Beastie Boys. I’ll add Bon Jovi to the mix as well. Also, any of the big country stars…
Definitely I would love to see MANU CHAO
I know he came around 3 yrs ago but I wasn’t here and I’ve heard his performance was awesome
My pick would be for Iron and Wine to come back. Perhaps also play on a night that works for me and not be playing at the same time as Metric
Tom Petty, always Tom Petty
Neil Young, Tina Turner & Dolly Parton!
I’d love to see Arcade Fire, Most Serene Republic (they were there in 2008), Beirut, The New Pornographers, Battles, The Shins, Wolf Parade, The Flaming Lips, and Wolfmother. I know, lots of indie, but I think I’d try to volunteer the entire time (or break down and pay for a week-long pass) if a couple of those performers were there.
Duran Duran and they always skip Ottawa.
Seeing so many suggestions for bands that have played Bluesfest before is pretty depressing. Isn’t the point of this wishing game to imagine bookings that are new and exciting and different?
That said, also: The Clipse.
Pearl Jam!!!!!!!
Although I’m not picky. An Eddie Vedder solo set on a smaller stage would work fantastically too!
Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman, Matthew Good, Def Leppard, Ozzy, Foo Fighters, Hoobastank
Metric again and Wolfparade
Please, please, please bring in PJ Harvey!!!
others: Dutchess & The Duke, Mudhoney, Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse, Beastie Boys, Them Crooked Vultures, RaTX, Public Enemy, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits.
JAMES TAYLOR
best show i’ve ever been to was two years ago at bluesfest when Taylor played… bring him back!!!
Dave Matthews Band, best jam band on the planet right now. So versatile, can play Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock, Folk, Progressive Rock and any combonation(s) therein. DMB hasn’t played Ottawa in over 5 years…
And/or John Mayer/John Mayer Trio.
Metric and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs AGAIN! i missed out last year and have been kicking myself ever since.
Michael Bublé, Feist, Ingrid Michaelson…and I will probably post some other ones once I can think of them.
Beirut, Stars, Wolf Parade, Arctic Monkeys, COLDPLAY and VAMPIRE WEEKEND
I would like to see Tracteur Jack again, great local band
How about Pavement?
They are in Toronto on June 15th, so they will be on tour.
Plus, they are only doing big stadiums.
This would place Bluesfest on a world stage for indie!
Bluesfest needs to get into more indie - this is their core demographic.
Actual music lovers and devotees!
Other suggestions:
Beirut, Neil Young (finally!), Caribou (its about time again)…
Bonnie Prince Billy, M. Ward, Sadies, Giant Sand, Green Day,
And some repeats of these Bluesfest epic shows would be greatly appreciated!
Okkervil River (again), Les Claypool (again), Black Keys (again), Jack White (in any form…), Calexico,
The Pixies, Arcade Fire, Jack White (I agree with the above poster, in amy form), Tragically Hip (I could never get tired of them),James U2 (unless they blew the budget for the previously mentioned, then forget it!)
I’e like to see The Cars and The Sound Technicians, Foo Fighters and Tenatious D.
I’d like to see The Cars and The Sound Technicians, Foo Fighters and Tenatious D.
Pavement and She & Him, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease
The Dead Weather and Arcade Fire